Published: Monday, May 19, 2014 at 1:00 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, May 18, 2014 at 6:02 p.m.

The next couple of weeks should be the peak of ripeness and flavor for local strawberries, but growers advise customers to get them while they can: a late spring means the berry picking season will be shorter than usual.

J.D. Obermiller’s pick-your-own strawberry farm in Horse Shoe usually opens up fields to customers around the first of May and remains open until early June. This year, they’re kicking off their picking season today at 4 p.m.

“Normally, if we start the first week of May, we pick four or five weeks,” he said. “We’ll probably only pick three weeks, tops.”

Dana grower Danny McConnell agreed the local strawberry crop was slow to get started and won’t last as long. He said customers should get to his farm early today if they want to go home with a basket of juicy, ripe fruit pre-picked by his workers.

“We’ll start picking on a limited basis tomorrow and we’re normally open from 9 to 6, but tomorrow we’ll be open from 9 o’clock until we sell out,” McConnell said Sunday.

Strawberry growers across the state are dealing with a compressed season this year, thanks to a harsh winter that burnt leaves on overwintering plants and a late spring that pushed back the ripening process.

A late start doesn’t mean the season will continue further into June, McConnell said.

“This type of strawberry is daylight sensitive,” he said, explaining that longer days in mid- to late-May signal the plants to put out runners for the next year and not produce as many flower buds and fruit.

On a normal growing cycle, Obermiller said pickers often see ripe berries and blooms on the same plant, a sign of promising yields to come. But under this year’s compressed schedule, “they tend to bloom at one time.”

That’s good news for local strawberry lovers craving the sweet, luscious fruit on shortcake, ice cream or in pies, he said.

“The one thing about a compressed season is the berries will be quite plentiful,” Obermiller said. “They’re really pretty, too. They seem to have a nice finish and with the sunshine tomorrow, I think the taste will be great.”

Obermiller’s Strawberry Farm, located on Allstar Lane, will be open for pick-your-own at 4 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays and at 8:30 a.m. Thursdays and Saturdays. Reach them at 891-8841. McConnell Farms, located at 177 Old Dana Road, can be reached at 828-692-2819.

<p>The next couple of weeks should be the peak of ripeness and flavor for local strawberries, but growers advise customers to get them while they can: a late spring means the berry picking season will be shorter than usual.</p><p>J.D. Obermiller's pick-your-own strawberry farm in Horse Shoe usually opens up fields to customers around the first of May and remains open until early June. This year, they're kicking off their picking season today at 4 p.m.</p><p>“Normally, if we start the first week of May, we pick four or five weeks,” he said. “We'll probably only pick three weeks, tops.”</p><p>Dana grower Danny McConnell agreed the local strawberry crop was slow to get started and won't last as long. He said customers should get to his farm early today if they want to go home with a basket of juicy, ripe fruit pre-picked by his workers.</p><p>“We'll start picking on a limited basis tomorrow and we're normally open from 9 to 6, but tomorrow we'll be open from 9 o'clock until we sell out,” McConnell said Sunday.</p><p>Strawberry growers across the state are dealing with a compressed season this year, thanks to a harsh winter that burnt leaves on overwintering plants and a late spring that pushed back the ripening process.</p><p>A late start doesn't mean the season will continue further into June, McConnell said.</p><p>“This type of strawberry is daylight sensitive,” he said, explaining that longer days in mid- to late-May signal the plants to put out runners for the next year and not produce as many flower buds and fruit.</p><p>On a normal growing cycle, Obermiller said pickers often see ripe berries and blooms on the same plant, a sign of promising yields to come. But under this year's compressed schedule, “they tend to bloom at one time.”</p><p>That's good news for local strawberry lovers craving the sweet, luscious fruit on shortcake, ice cream or in pies, he said.</p><p>“The one thing about a compressed season is the berries will be quite plentiful,” Obermiller said. “They're really pretty, too. They seem to have a nice finish and with the sunshine tomorrow, I think the taste will be great.”</p><p>Obermiller's Strawberry Farm, located on Allstar Lane, will be open for pick-your-own at 4 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays and at 8:30 a.m. Thursdays and Saturdays. Reach them at 891-8841. McConnell Farms, located at 177 Old Dana Road, can be reached at 828-692-2819.</p>